The 15 Best Things To Do In Auburn, Alabama

Get A Lemonade At Toomer’s Drugs

Your first stop in Auburn should be to the town’s most famous corner: Toomer’s. The intersection of College Street and Magnolia Avenue seems to be the epicenter of Auburn. Two landmarks, Toomer’s Oak and Toomer’s Drugs sit catty-corner to one another. If you visit on a game weekend and Auburn wins, you’ll see the tree covered in a tangle of white toilet paper as its tradition to roll the tree to celebrate a victory. No matter when you visit, a stop into Toomer’s Drugs (built in 1896) for their legendary fresh-squeezed lemonade is a must. Folks love it so much, we developed a sheetcake recipe based on its supremely citrusy flavors.

toomers.com; 100 N. College Street, Auburn AL 36830; 334-887-3488

Explore Downtown Opelika

Auburn has one great neighbor in Opelika, a historic railroad town that has about 50,000 fewer residents than Auburn, but offers just as much to see and do. Situated along railroad tracks that are still in use today, Opelika’s downtown is a wonderful place to while away an afternoon or an entire day. There are numerous places to shop for everything from women’s apparel to antiques to home goods, and lots of local restaurants that run the gamut from cozy gastropubs to hip cafes. With two breweries, a distillery, and a tucked-away speakeasy, this is also a great place to check out for nightlife that goes beyond crowded undergrad bars and rowdy gameday revelers.

opelikamainstreet.org

Hike at Chewacla State Park

Take advantage of Auburn’s beautiful natural surroundings with a visit to nearby Chewacla State Park. The 696-acre site is situated around a 26-acre lake that’s a popular spot for bream, bass, crappie, and catfishing. In summer months, folks like to cool off at the sandy beach area. Canoes are available to rent on the weekends. Take one of many multipurpose trails to see Chewacla Falls, and if you want to stick around and explore more the next day, cabins, campsites, and luxury safari-style glamping sites are all available to rent.

alapark.com/parks/chewacla-state-park; 124 Shell Toomer Parkway Auburn, AL 36830; 334-887-5621

Eat At Acre

A big part of Auburn’s dining identity is due in large part to Chef David Bancroft, who owns Acre, one of the city’s first farm-to-table restaurants and an Auburn icon. As a multi-year James Beard Award semifinalist, Bancroft’s take on seasonal Southern cuisine is not to be missed. On the menu, you’ll find mouthwatering starters like cornbread lacquered with honey-hot sauce butter and fried green tomatoes topped with marinated Gulf blue crab, pimento cheese, and Creole remoulade. Did we mention the restaurant cures its own meats for an artisan, housemade charcuterie board that bubbles over with Southern-made cheeses, plus homemade pickles, relishes, and preserves? 

acreauburn.com; 210 E Glenn Ave., Auburn, AL 36830; 334-246-3763

Walk Around Campus

A lot of life in Auburn revolves around Auburn University, so it’s pretty much impossible to ignore the University’s sprawling campus. And why would you? Its gorgeous grounds are just begging for an afternoon stroll. If there’s one place you can’t miss its Samford Hall, the picturesque school administration building that was first built in the 1880s and renovated in 1971. The lawn in front of the building, the walkway to the building, and the brick Auburn University sign on S College Street are all popular photo-op spots.

Visit the Jule Collins Smith Museum Of Fine Art

This free art museum was added to the Auburn University campus in 2003, and has been a beacon for the area’s art community ever since. The full-time collection focuses on 19th century Audubon prints; ceramics and pottery; 18th to 21st centuries European and American art; and work by Alabama and Southern artists. Rotating exhibits change every January and July, meaning there’s always something new to discover here. Note: The museum is closed from July 7 through August 5 for annual exhibit changeout.

jcsm.auburn.edu; 901 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36849; 334-844-1484

Sample Asian Cuisine At Irritable Bao

After building a fanatical following for their supremely fluffy and always inventive bao through their former food truck Dumps Like A Truck, the husband-wife duo behind the craze set up shop in the heart of downtown. Irritable Bao is open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Saturday. If you see a line snaking out the front door and onto the sidewalk, don’t fret. The bao, along with traditional and fusion street food specials like shrimp buns, Chinese chicken skewers, and spinach artichoke dip spring rolls, are more than worth the wait.

instagram.com/dumpslikeatruck_irritablebao; 127 E. Magnolia Avenue, Auburn, AL 36832

Explore the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center

This multifaceted complex transformed not only the university but the entire town of Auburn when it opened in August 2022. As the new home of the Auburn’s esteemed Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management, the center encompasses so many things in one central location. Yes, there are classrooms and test kitchens for students studying culinary sciences. But there’s also a microbrewery, coffee roastery, fine dining restaurant, food hall, and hotel—all of which are open for the public to enjoy and explore. A tasting dinner with one of many rotating chefs in residence at 1856 — Culinary Residence restaurant is a real treat. A trip to the center’s rooftop garden and bar is another lovely way to spend an evening.

ranecenter.auburn.edu; 205 S. College St., Auburn, AL 36849

Stay At A First-Rate Hotel

One of the Rane Center’s most delightful additions is the Laurel Hotel & Spa, the state’s first and only AAA Five Diamond Hotel. Offering a true luxury experience, check into this boutique hotel where the service (offered budding hospitality students) is second to none and the accommodations exceed anything you could ever imagine. In particular, The Library, the hotel’s guest-only dining/living room features four entirely complimentary food presentations per day: breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, and dessert. For a little R&R, get a treatment at the spa, or spend time lounging in the salt or eucalyptus steam room.  

laurelhotelandspa.com; 130 E Thach Ave., Auburn, AL 36830; 334-249-4250

Have Brunch at Lucy’s

This modern American eatery is a favorite spot for date night, girls’ night outs, and celebrations thanks to its excellent food, wonderful bar program, and enchanting ambiance. It’s busy every night of the week, but the crowds ramp up just a little more for weekend brunch service where you can start your day right with creations like the Housemade Coconut & Banana Toast with fig butter and carmelized bananas and Shrimp & Green Chili Grits with chorizo, avocado mole verde, pickled onions, and a poached farm egg.

lucysauburn.com; 2300 Moores Mill Road, Auburn, AL 36830; 334-521-0391

Shop Downtown

Auburn’s walkable downtown district is packed with places to shop. From bookstores to clothing boutiques to fun gift shops, there’s something to suit every type of shopper—even those who claim to hate the activity. Those looking for fashionable ‘fits will find all kinds of apparel at places like Behind the Glass, Charming Oaks, and fab’rik. A visit to J&M Bookstore, which is smack dab in the middle of Toomer’s Corner and the famous War Eagle mural wall, is necessary for stocking up on Tiger apparel.

downtownauburnonline.com

Stroll Through The Donald E. Davis Arboretum

This 14-acre garden and greenspace on Auburn’s campus is open to the public year-round. It’s a great place to exhale in the company of native Alabama plants that range from oaks to azaleas to carnivorous pitcher plants. There are more than two miles of walking trails to discover, and four-legged friends (so long as they’re leashed) are always welcome.

auburn.edu/cosam/arboretum; 181 Garden Dr, Auburn, AL 36849; 334-844-5770

Stop for Coffee at Well Red

There may not be a cozier spot in all of Auburn than Well Red, a coffee shop and bookstore just on the outskirts of downtown. The teal-painted Craftsman home, with its bright red door and charming front porch, is so inviting from the exterior that stepping inside feels like a warm hug. Grab a coffee or tea at the counter, then peruse the bookshelves to find your new favorite read. Regular book club meetings and wine tasting events add to the store’s mission to be a true part of the community.

wellredau.com; 223 Opelika Rd., Auburn, AL 36830; 334-246-3021

Listen to Jazz at Piccolo 241

You don’t have to travel to New Orleans or New York to hear great jazz. Piccolo 241, located inside The Hotel at Auburn University, is a true jazz lounge, where live jazz, blues, and soul music are on the menu every Thursday through Saturday night. Stop in for a specialty cocktail or glass of wine paired with the night’s entertainment. For a full night out, visit adjoining restaurant Ariccia Cucina for housemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and a porchetta so good it made it on the 100 Dishes to Eat In Alabama list.

aricciacucina.com/piccolo-241-jazz-and-cocktails; 241 S College Street, Auburn, AL 36830; 334-844-5140

Walk Around The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center

Another example of Auburn University giving back to its hometown is the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, an outreach program of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. In addition to offering environmental education programs for kids and partnering with area schools to serve as an outdoor classroom, it’s also a wonderful place for families and folks of all ages to explore on any given day. With six miles of walking trails, a pond, butterfly garden, giant playground, and a waterfall, there are numerous ways to enjoy the great outdoors here.

kpnc.auburn.edu; 2222 North College Street, Auburn, AL 36830; 334-844-8091